With 6.8 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Maki has cemented his place as one of the breakout stars of the Filipino music scene. Let’s dive into the numbers because—well, they speak for themselves:
Maki’s Top Hits
- Dilaw – 136,675,926 streams
- Saan? – 122,021,055 streams
- Kailan? – 44,837,010 streams
- Bakit? – 16,645,266 streams
- Sikulo – 13,865,138 streams
He’s out here dropping bangers that hit you right in the chest, blending R&B vibes with deeply relatable lyrics. You can’t scroll through TikTok without seeing Saan? or Dilaw on people’s playlists. And for good reason.
Who is Maki?
Born Ralph William Datoon on November 27, 1999, Maki’s story isn’t the typical overnight success we often hear. He had a dream—writing R&B songs—and he chased it. But after a particularly rough audition at 15, where he was treated poorly, Maki thought his music career was over. He quietly cried on a jeepney ride home, too embarrassed to even tell his family about it.
But Maki wasn’t done yet. He took a break, focused on college, and even graduated with a degree in Communications from New Era University. Just when he thought he might leave music behind, fate stepped in—a friend shared his demo with Tarsier Records. Boom. The rest, as they say, is history.
The Breakthrough
Fast forward to 2024, and Maki’s single "Dilaw" is blowing up, not just in the Philippines, but globally. This isn’t your everyday viral hit—it’s the third OPM song ever to chart on Spotify's Global Top 50, and the first to top the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100. With lines like "Nung gabing iniwan mo ako, habang buhay na 'kong maghihintay sa'yo," Maki taps into something deeply personal that resonates with listeners everywhere.
His journey from "Saan?" and "Bakit?"—songs filled with questions about love, heartbreak, and everything in between—show that Maki’s music is a reflection of all the uncertainties we experience in life.
And this guy’s not slowing down. In August 2024, he released "Namumula", and if you haven’t listened yet, you’re missing out. His talent for blending catchy melodies with introspective lyrics has kept him at the top of the charts. And with an Instagram post celebrating his chart-topping success, Maki made it clear: “MABUHAY ANG OPM!!! Being at the top is only the bonus. Maraming salamat sa pagtangkilik ng musikang Pilipino!”
So, what’s next for Maki? We can expect more chart-toppers, more soul-searching lyrics, and definitely more viral hits. He’s an artist who’s tapped into something special, and he’s only just getting started.
Here's an interview with Maki on On Cue:
Maki is here to stay, and if you haven’t already, it’s time to hit play on his Spotify. He’s the guy making us all feel the questions we’ve been too scared to ask, and honestly, we’re all better for it.
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